Professional Background

Malena has served in various roles for corporations, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

She utilizes her training in different styles of management to support creative visions and help ground them into reality through process, strategy and execution.

  • Keen Independent Research. March 2021 - Current (project-basis)

    • Executed a full branding assessment, strategy and redesign to enhance the visual design and messaging for the research firm

    • Served as lead consultant for a light festival feasibility study

    • Provided design and research support for other arts and culture projects, including the San Marcos, TX Arts Master Plan (2021)

  • DBR Lab Artist Collective. Arizona State University. Aug 2018 - May 2023

    • Supports student artists with mentorship, professional development, marketing and performance opportunities

    • Produced and stage managed two performances in New York (2019, 2022) plus three virtual performances during the pandemic

    • Designed logo and developed website for professor, Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR)

  • • Produced a 15-day work retreat in Guatemala for a startup company with 25 participants from around the world

    • Managed all logistics for the attendee experience end-to-end

    • Facilitated opening and closing ceremonies, utilizing conversation-based games

    • Coordinated special experiences, meals and outings for the group, working with local community members

  • ABI Create, July 2020 - Jan 2021 (continued project-basis)

    • Coordinated logistics for custom fabrication projects, managing client relationships and contractor agreements

    • Oversaw the bidding and acquisition process for sub-contractors

    • Managed the hiring, scheduling, contract and payment process for a rush LED park build, recruited 40+ contracted builders

    • Facilitated City permitting process and staff check-in for a New Years Eve festival in Las Vegas in 2022

  • National Accelerator for Cultural Innovation. Arizona State University. Nov 2019–June 2020

    • Coordinated the accelerated redesign of the MA in Creative Enterprise and Cultural Leadership website and curriculum, working under professor Johanna Taylor

    • Organized the process and led the development of a website to present 30+ faculty research projects in the arts

  • CounterAct: Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative. Arizona State University. Tempe, AZ. Feb–Oct 2018

    • Coordinated an arts-based sexual violence prevention program, working under co-directors Nik Zaleski and EJ Johnson

    • Managed 11 initiatives, including a conference, seed grant program, theatre program, student focus groups, student ambassadors and university events

  • Flagstaff Arts Council. Flagstaff, AZ. Feb 2015–Aug 2016

    • Managed marketing initiatives for 10+ community programs, inclusive of:

    • 6 annual gallery shows

    • Seasonal concert series

    • City-funded art & science grants

    • Annual arts awards gala

    • Weekly summer events in downtown

    • Monthly ArtWalk map and ad sales

    • Weekly radio show

    • Community events calendar

    • Artist workshops

    • Designed a full-color book to document the Fires of Change exhibition. Select artists received forest fire educational training and had one year to produce art as an initiative to inform the public about fire safety

    • Trained and managed a team of college interns in photography, marketing and graphic design

  • Deckers Brands. Aug 2012–Feb 2015

    • Managed two eCommerce sites as primary liaison for the brands while tracking and preparing weekly metric reports

    • Supported major initiatives for UGG Australia and Teva during peak sales seasons

    • Coordinated end-to-end product photography process for 7 shoe brands

    • Trained in agile project management

  • Graphic Design & Apparel Printing. Dec 2007–Aug 2016

    • Provided graphic design, apparel printing and marketing services for small businesses on a contracted basis

    • Contracted part-time design work with a medical products company, providing advertisements, presentations, training manuals and product information sheets while following strict brand guidelines (2009–2011)

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